Environmental Impacts of Fire Safety Measures in the Built Environment

Abstract

The paper focuses on assessing the environmental impacts associated with fire safety measures in buildings, underlining the crucial role of evaluating these impacts in ensuring effective fire protection systems. Through a methodical examination of strategies aimed at mitigating fire risks, the study correlates these strategies with five fundamental layers of protection, mirroring the concept of the Swiss Cheese Model. On the basis of this framework, a novel environmental impact typology is introduced, clearly identifying the specific environmental impacts associated with fire-protection systems. By isolating these impacts, the assessment appropriately separates consequences related to fire safety from other functions within a building. Moreover, this structured methodology serves as a foundation for future investigations into such environmental impacts of timber construction. It facilitates the development of targeted mitigation strategies that enhance fire safety while simultaneously taking ecological considerations into account.